Francis Robinson musical bracket clock – £15,000 at East Bristol Auctions.
Born c.1670, Robinson was not free of the Clockmakers’ Company until 1707 but rose swiftly to some fame at his Inner Temple workshop, becoming Clockmaker in Ordinary to the King in 1727 and working for the Prince of Wales until his death c.1747.
This history was unknown to the vendor who brought it, along with other items, in a two-wheel shopping trolley to a valuation day at East Bristol Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium).
Come sale day on October 29, the 19½in (50cm) tall ebonised clock striking on multiple bells was fully catalogued with details of the ormolu brass dial, signature to the front pendulum, gilded verge movement and music cylinder.
Estimated at £4000-6000, it sold online to an Australian bidder at £15,000.
